Zahi Hawass to return as Egyptian antiquities minister

Egypt's chief Egyptian archeologist Zahi Hawass has been named the Egyptian minister of antiquities, the official MENA news agency reported Wednesday.

Hawass had previously served as head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities and as minister of state under the deposed president Hosni Mubarak.

France 24 news reported that Hawass's appointment is likely to anger anti-government factions, who have opposed the appointment of any of the old guard under Mubarak to new positions in the government.